I have been thinking a great deal recently about purpose... what is our sense of purpose in life? Some people might find a degree of purpose in their careers, in family life, in church and community work. But life moves on...people retire from their jobs, children leave home, circumstances may prevent us from being out and about and active in various ways...then the question may rear its head: What is my purpose in life?
In my own case, both our children have long since left home and have busy and fulfilling lives, and my husband is enjoying an active and rewarding retirement. When pondering my own sense of purpose, I always find myself going back to these words by Mary Baker Eddy:
“I am able to impart truth, health and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing”. Mrs. Eddy has made it so clear that our very reason for existing is to impart truth, health and happiness....in whatever way the Father directs and outlines.
Sometimes, I’m not quite sure how to go about imparting truth, health and happiness, but I am learning that it is in the simple, daily contact with individuals that opportunities to impart happiness are to be found, if I just look for them. Human contact is everywhere, providing ample opportunity to impart happiness and fellowship, whether it be with family members, friends, neighbours, shop assistants, the postman....whoever we come into contact with in our daily lives.
Jesus instructed us to “go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. As I see it, one way of obeying our Master’s instruction is to go out into our own respective worlds, reaching out in love and fellowship to all those we meet on our daily rounds. This certainly gives one a “reason for existing”.
Photo by Michael Heuser on Unsplash